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WASHINGTON, DC [04/17/18] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, a leader on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement after the Departments of Education and Veterans Affairs announced a new action to simplify the student loan discharge process for disabled veterans:

“Veterans have sacrificed for our country, and we must honor their service. Disabled veterans must not be burdened with student loan debt, and we should be helping them access the loan forgiveness they have earned. I acknowledge the Department of Education and the Department of Veterans Affairs for streamlining the student loan discharge process for disabled veterans, but there is more we can do.

“Provisions in my SIMPLE Act help veteran borrowers automatically enroll in affordable income-driven loan repayment plans and simplify loan forgiveness for disabled veterans. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, there are hundreds of thousands of disabled borrowers, including more than 100,000 who are in default and at risk of having their Social Security garnished. These borrowers are paying billions of dollars in student loan debt that could be forgiven under a total and permanent disability discharge. Members of Congress should come together and pass the SIMPLE Act.”